Suicide Prevention Week Events - 2009
September 14-20, 2009

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a nationally recognized suicide prevention program available at UConn. Training is for the general public and teaches participants how to identify the warning signs of suicide, how to ask questions about suicide, and how to refer for professional help. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college students. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and you have the opportunity to make a difference in our community.

QPR is easy to learn and is offered at no charge for UConn participants. For more information, or to request a QPR training session, contact Jenn Fox at 860-486-4705, or jenn.fox@uconn.edu.

Field of Memory

The Be Aware Show You Care Flag Exhibit will be displayed on Dow Field. This powerful and poignant visual display represents the more than 1000 suicides that occur on U. S. college campuses each year. Come to Dow Field and personalize a flag to show your support and awareness or honor a memory of someone lost.

Dow Field, Monday, September 14th -Sunday, September 20th

Interactive Art Exhibit

The "Be Aware, Show You Care" Interactive Art Exhibit is a community-sharing exhibit. Bandanas are used culturally in many ways for practical, religious, identification, and defiance purposes. This display of personalized bandanas allows community members to share thoughts and experiences on the impact of suicide in their lives. Join us at the Union Art Gallery to create your piece of art. Art pieces can also be made at designated SU first floor tables and at various related events during the week.

We invite the entire campus to be part of this community project.

Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30p.m. and runs through Sunday, September 20, from 11 am – 7 pm in the Gallery, Student Union 310.

Opening Reception on Tuesday, September 15 from 5:00p.m.-6:30p.m. in the Gallery, Student Union 310

Memorial Service

A memorial Service and candlelight ceremony will be led by The Area Association of Religious Communities (AARC) for everyone who has been impacted by suicide or would simply like to come share support. The Service offers compassion, a tone of healing, community support, and a safe place to share for those who chose to do so. The Service will feature songs by UConn’s a capella groups.

Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. on the CUE Building Patio

OUT TO LUNCH SERIES

LGBT youth commit suicide at much higher rates than their straight peers. Or do they? Robin P. McHaelen, MSW, Executive Director of True Colors, Inc., discusses this assumption regarding LGBT youth. This interactive presentation will focus on the risks and realities of LGBT youth experiences, explore the subsets of youth at higher or lower risks of suicide and identify protective factors and strategies participants can use to help prevent or reduce self-harm.

Wednesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM at the Rainbow Center, Student Union 403

STUDENT VOICES PANEL

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college students. We have an opportunity to make a difference in our community. Please join us for a riveting talk by a panel of students who will discuss: “What Can We Do to Help?” Suicide Facts, Awareness and Prevention. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Thursday, September 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM at the African American Cultural Center, Student Union 407

Movies

Movies focusing on different aspects of suicide will be presented, including cultural and contextual themes reflective of the co-sponsoring Cultural Centers with discussions following. SUBOG will also presents movies on Friday and Saturday evening. Discussion will follow each movie.

Monday, September 14 6:00 PM at the Asian American Cultural Center, SU428: Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Writer-director Joy Dietrich, a Korean adoptee, introduces the world of Asian American young women, addressing their abnormally high rates of depression and suicide. The movie centers on a young Korean adoptee woman who is estranged from her family. She seeks to regain a sense of home by exploring ties with the Asian Americans she meets in her new apartment building. Suddenly, her brother shows up, stirring up long lost feelings she has tried to bury. This independent film is a work of great compassion and poetic beauty.

Wednesday, September 16 6:00 PM at the Women’s Center, SU421: Prozac Nation
Based on the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Wurtzel, Prozac Nation tells the story of Ms. Wurtzel’s own difficulties with depression during her first year of college. A gifted writer who won a scholarship to Harvard, Elizabeth finds herself tested by the stress of being away from home at a challenging institution. Finding refuge in drugs and alcohol, she becomes increasingly depressed as her relationships and ability to write unravel.

Wednesday, September 16 6:00 PM at the Student Union Theatre. Sponsored by SUBOG: Dead Poets Society
Painfully shy Todd Anderson has been sent to the school where his popular older brother was valedictorian. His roommate, Neil, although bright and popular, is much under the thumb of his overbearing father. The two, along with their other friends, meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who tells them of the Dead Poets Society, and encourages them to go against the status quo. Each, in their own way, does this, and are changed for life by the unsuspecting suicide of one of the group.

Friday, September 18 2:00 PM, at the Rainbow Center, SU403: Prayers for Bobby
Mary is a devout Christian who raises her children in conservative Christian teachings. Her son Bobby confides to his older brother that he is gay. Life changes for the entire family when Mary learns this secret. Mary believes God can cure Bobby of his “sin” and persuades Bobby to pray harder and seek solace in the church. His subsequent depression and self-loathing result in tragedy for Bobby and Mary. Mary begins a long, emotional journey that results in her receiving support from very unlikely sources.

Tabling

Be Aware Show You Care and support by visiting our tables during Suicide Prevention Week. We will have information about the week’s events, handouts and give-a-ways. We will be at the following cafeterias from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.:

Monday the 14th at Northwest
Tuesday the 15th at Towers
Wednesday the 16th at South

“READ ALL ABOUT IT” BULLETIN BOARDS

Throughout the month of September, Resident Assistants (RAs) will be posting informational bulletin boards throughout UConn Residence Halls. Look for more information on Suicide, Depression, and the UConn Suicide Prevention Week events. For more information ask your RA! Read up on this to Be Aware and Show You Care!!

Concert for Causes: Our Campus is the Cure

This FREE outdoor festival at the Student Union Mall features organizational booths representing good causes working to make our campus a better place. The concert stars Anberlin plus local and student bands and performers for a show you will not forget! Together, we can make a difference--our campus is the cure. Sponsored by SUBOG

Sunday, September 20th
Times are: Noon to 6:00pm

WEBSITE

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students. UConn and the community have not been immune from this terrible tragedy. Take time and visit UConn’s Suicide Prevention website (www.suicideprevention.uconn.edu) to learn more about programs, resources, and information available to the UConn community. In a critical moment, this information could help you help yourself or someone you care most about!